Hello I'm Mike Manley, welcome to my studio Blog. I am veteran comic, animation artist and created and edit Draw! Magazine. This blog is a chronicle of what's happening in my studio at home or in school,follow as I show my process and as a cartoonist, painter, teacher and more. I've just graduated with a Masters In Art from he Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Follow my process and path as an painter, cartoonist and teacher and find out how they inform and enrich each other!

Sunday, August 06, 2006

SUNDAY PLIEN AIR--BUSTER'S SHADE

A bigger picture here.I had a hankering to get back out this weekend and paint again, and suince Echo worked a double this weekend I decided to try doing something around the house instead of going out to a park, etc. It was still a hot mother in the sun though much cooler than last weeks painting excursion in Brandywine park.

I walked about the house looking for a good composition, a subject and decided to do a shot on my front door and already the sun was creeping, so I planned my painting to catch the shadows and set them down quick. I raced out and set up getting ready in no time...like last week I blocked in fast then went in for the details. The drawing is a bit wonky, I was on a bit of an angle and I didn't want to spend a lot of time drafting stuff out or the day would be done. I also wanted it to feel organic and more like a sketch. The paint was drying fast today, getting tacky in the sun quick.

Then after I blocked in the big bush Buster came and sat down in the shade,PERFECT! Shazam was in the bush further away, but later came out and sat with Buster, I would have painted her in too, but it was too late. And she never sits in one place too long. They both sat outside in the front yard as I painted, but dogs don't always sit in one position long, and I had to knock in Buster quick before he changed his position. They are both cattle dogs or working dogs and like to sit where they have a good view of the entire street and anyone (especially a dog with their human) might happen by. I had plenty of cars driving past and neighbors stop by all who said "wow" or "Thats's cool", etc., including my pal Chuck who I had dinner with later. Kids came by, a cop stopped to watch me paint and a lady from the next block asked if I did commisions and wants a portrait painted of her little girl. I suppose most people don't ever see anyone painting around these parts or maybe have ever seen a person painting up close. I am pretty happy with the values but man, a long way to go... This is painting #3 since last year.

Oh man, poor (mulf), he should just lie low sometimes! I'm liking things a lot here--the way the drawing gets a bit wonky, as you say. Like that quite a bit. Since classes are coming up fast and I'm getting antsy, I feel the need to do a critique and put in one or two of Catherine's "bad cop" pointers along with the good things. LOL Moving on now.....

Ya know what's truly sad? I have a roll of 60" wide canvas and more stretchers than both the local AC Moore and Michael's combined (not saying much, I know, but you get the picture) and a nearly full tub of gesso that just sit and collect dust. I just went to yet another blog on myspace that belongs to some person totally unknown to me but wants to be my friend, and I saw some really great art. She's not adding me to her list (why do these people want a total stranger on their "friends" lists?), but she inspired me just the same. Will I do the painting or a load of wash? I don't know. I need to be around art and artsy people to feel the drive to create it and that just doesn't seem to happen very often! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to the manic-ness of school.....

That is a problem any artists face. I was talking to jamar about this Sunday. My problem is sorta' the opposite, i want to do more art for me, less art for commercial stuff, but I need the $$. This always has resulted in me doing like one painting a year...and saying"next year will be the year."

But I can't do that anymore as it will take a few years to get where i want.

I say at times its forcing yourself, even if robotic moves to get those first humps, steps done then you end up getting into your groove. Your paintings were getting better and better last year and i think you were the best student painter by far. I always looked forward to seeing yer next painting.

If you feel stagnant lets do a painters party, we could set up a still life or hit the park early on sat/Sun, hell even a weekday. Paint for 3-4 hours and do lunch, home in time to feed yer hubby with lead paint all over yer fingers ;->

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About Me

I've been a professional artist since I was 15, and I've worked in comics and animation for almost 30 years, I created and Edit, Draw! MAGAZINE. I also teach animation, cartooning, illustration and drawing classes at Uarts and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
I graduated the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts with a Certificate in Painting. I am currently at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in the 1st year of the MFA program.